Cerazette

Cerazette is a progesterone-only pill, otherwise known as “the mini-pill”. It was released in the EU in 2000 and has since become a popular and effective contraceptive option.

Cerazette works in 3 main ways:

• Preventing ovulation - the process by which the ovary releases an egg each month.
• Thickening the cervical mucus - this makes it harder for semen to enter the cervix and fertilise an egg.
• Thinning the lining of the womb - this makes it harder for an egg to implant into the womb lining if fertilised.

This is unlike most other mini-pills, which do not prevent ovulation.

Cerazette contains the synthetic form of the female sex hormone progesterone (desogestrel).

Progesterone influences these processes, which help to prevent pregnancy.

Cerazette is over 99% effective when used perfectly every time. However, with typical use, it is 91% effective.

The effectiveness of your contraception can be affected by missing pills. Therefore, you must take Cerazette correctly to make sure it is effective and to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

Cerazette is effective immediately if you start taking it:

• days 1-5 of your cycle
• the day after your last active pill, patch, or ring (if switching to Cerazette from another contraceptive)*

Cerazette will not be effective for at least 7 days if you start taking it on day 6 of your cycle or after.

You will need to use extra protection (e.g. a condom) for at least 7 days to allow Cerazette to become effective.

*You must skip the hormone-free break of your previous contraception if you are switching to Cerazette.

Most adult women can take Cerazette for birth control. It is also safe for women who cannot use combined contraceptives like “the pill”, as it does not have the same risk of blood clots.

However, some women should not take Cerazette as they are at a higher risk of side effects, including women who:

• have acute porphyria (a genetic condition)
• currently have breast cancer

If you have any other medical condition or take any other medicine, you should consult your doctor before taking Cerazette.

You need to take Cerazette at the same time daily. Each strip contains 28 pills.

Take one Cerazette pill once a day for 28 days. After 28 days, immediately start the next strip of pills. You do not need to have a break between pill strips.

A missed pill is a pill that is more than 12 hours late.

If you miss a pill, you should:

• take it as soon as you remember, even if that means taking 2 pills in one day.
• use extra barrier contraception (condoms) for at least 48 hours.
• take emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex from the time you missed the pill until 48 hours after you have resumed taking it correctly

If you had unprotected sex in that period, you should consider a pregnancy test 21 days afterwards.

Like all prescription medicines, Cerazette may cause side effects. The most common side effects should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):

• breast changes
• depressed mood
• mood swings
• headache
• low sex drive (low libido)
• irregular or no periods
• feeling sick (nausea)
• skin reactions
• weight gain

Taking Cerazette slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. Make sure you regularly check your breasts for any changes.

Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any persistent or serious side effects. If you experience any serious side effects, please seek emergency medical attention.

For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet (PIL) which comes in the box with your medicine.

Periods on Cerazette are unpredictable. Some women may experience irregular bleeding, while some may have no bleeding at all.

Research published by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health suggests that over a 3-month period:

• 4 in 10 women on Cerazette have “normal” bleeding (3-5 bleeding episodes, which is similar to a natural menstrual cycle)
• 2-3 in 10 women on Cerazette do not bleed
• 3 in 10 women on Cerazette have infrequent bleeding (less than 3 bleeding episodes)
• 1 in 10 women on Cerazette experience heavy bleeding (bleeding which lasts for more than 14 days)

You should discuss side effects with your doctor if you are not sure.

Cerazette contains the same active ingredient as Cerelle, which is desogestrel. So, they will work identically and are equally effective. However, they are both different brands.

Yes, Cerazette is a safe and clinically-proven contraceptive. But if you have another medical condition or take other medication, your doctor will need to ensure it’s safe for you. Our doctors will also know whether it’s safe for you based on your medical questionnaire during the ordering process.

Safety is our number one priority at 121doc. For this reason, our doctors will only prescribe treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects